Through this initiative, a diverse coalition of agricultural, environmental and food security leaders are building a 21st century strategy and action plan to help Ohio agriculture become more sustainable and relevant in addressing 21st century challenges. Using a holistic and integrated approach to land management, the project leaders will identify, build and incubate platforms that support the sustainable production of food, feed, fiber, energy and ecosystem services and the delivery of these goods and services up the food chain all the way to the urban core.

While previous initiatives have been valuable planning exercises designed to “increase production of farms”, this initiative builds on that work and includes “getting food on tables”. In embracing the vision of Ohio agriculture helping to “feed the world”, we recognize that this starts with feeding our neighbors in Ohio.

The Upper Midwest is faced with a growing demand for affordable and nutritious food, feed, fiber and energy, clean water in healthy watersheds, thriving wildlife habitats and other ecosystem services. However, this demand must be met with dwindling land resources and increasingly unpredictable weather. We need a transition to integrated landscape management of a resilient, climate-smart and multifunctional agriculture for our farms, communities and cities to continue to grow and prosper. Climate related disruptions to agricultural production in the region are projected to increase further over the next 25 years leading to declines in crop and livestock production due to pollination problems, weeds, diseases, insect pests, extreme weather and other naturally induced stresses. Furthermore, one in six Ohio families that are already experiencing low food security, as well as the even more troubling statistic, of one in four children that are not sure where their next meal will come from, is another challenge that must be overcome.

Through this initiative, which will link with and build upon the multi-stakeholder partnership’s that have been developing in the region, a diverse coalition of agricultural, environmental and food security leaders will construct a strategy and action plan for making Ohio agriculture more sustainable and resilient to the challenges before us. Based on a holistic and integrated approach to land management, the project leaders will identify, build and incubate value chains that support the sustainable production of food, feed, fiber, energy and ecosystem services, and the delivery of these goods and services up the food chain all the way to the most urban consumers.

While previous initiatives have largely been planning exercises designed to “increase production of farms”, our focus goes beyond this important dimension to include “getting food on tables”. In embracing the vision of Ohio agriculture helping to “feed the world”, we recognize that this starts with feeding our neighbors in Ohio.